One misty morning, Pip the hedgehog finds a perfect circle of small white mushrooms in a forest clearing, and soon the whole ring is full of happy dancing.
The forest was full of soft mist when Pip set out for his morning walk. In a clearing near Mossy Hill, he stopped in surprise. Dozens of tiny white mushrooms stood in a perfect circle, as if someone had drawn it with a giant compass.
"Nutmeg, come look!" Pip called. The squirrel librarian hurried over. "A fairy ring," she said softly. "I have read about these, but I have never seen one myself."
Owl glided down to the edge of the ring. "Not magic, little ones," he said kindly. "Under the ground, a mushroom grows long, thin threads that spread out evenly, like ripples in a pond. New mushrooms grow along the edge each year, so the ring grows wider."
Pip stepped into the middle and reached out both paws. Nutmeg took them, and they spun in a slow, happy dance. Soon Thistle the mouse arrived with three friends, and they joined hands in pairs around the ring, dancing too.
When the mist lifted and sun came through the trees, the group sat down together, smiling. "Let's come back next year," Pip said, "and see how much wider it has grown."
This story is fiction.
Scientists and volunteer helpers found two new kinds of small snails in the mountains of Montenegro, a country in Europe. The snails are tiny, only about six millimeters long, and they live on rocks, eating algae and lichens, which are small, flat plant-like growths.
The new snails have a special feature. A tiny round piece on the tail can close the shell shut, like a little door. Their eyes also sit on the sides of their head, not on long eye-stalks like most land snails.
Researchers described the two species, named Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido, in a science journal in July 2026. The discovery shows that Europe still has small creatures that no one has found and named before.
Source: ScienceDaily
Thursday is mostly sunny across Japan, but Sapporo stays cloudy with a good chance of rain while the other cities enjoy mild, dry weather.
Carry an umbrella in Sapporo today, and bring a light jacket for the cool morning and evening in the other cities.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 21, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
On this day, Emperor Kanmu moved Japan's capital from Nagaoka-kyo to a new city that was later named Heian-kyo, which is today's Kyoto. Every year on this date, Kyoto holds a famous parade called Jidai Matsuri, where people wear clothes from many periods of Japanese history and walk through the old city streets.
Source: Kyoto Shimbun
On this day, Hakujaden (The Tale of the White Serpent) opened in Japanese theaters. It was Japan's first full-length animated movie made in color. In 2017, animation groups in Japan chose this date to be "Anime Day," to celebrate the start of Japanese animation.
Source: Japanese Wikipedia, Hakujaden (1958 film), kinenbi-db.com
On this day, the Soviet spacecraft Venera 9 landed on the surface of Venus and sent back the first photograph ever taken from another planet. The picture showed flat, broken rocks scattered across the ground. Venera 9 worked for 53 minutes before the planet's extreme heat ended the mission.
Source: The Planetary Society
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is your brightest day this week, so enjoy every good moment.
Money Good news about money reaches you earlier than you expect.
Love Someone close shares a warm compliment that stays with you.
Lucky color Forest green
Lucky item A wooden hair clip
Overall This is a lucky day, so take a chance on something new.
Money Good fortune with money arrives earlier than you expect.
Love Family time brings a warm, happy feeling this evening.
Lucky color Powder blue
Lucky item A small mirror
Overall A new idea excites you today, so jot it down quickly.
Money A bright bit of luck comes your way with money today.
Love A sincere talk brings you closer to someone you trust.
Lucky color Shell pink
Lucky item A small seashell
Overall Steady effort today brings a result you can be proud of.
Money A small, careful choice keeps your budget nicely balanced.
Love Family time adds warmth and comfort to your evening.
Lucky color Warm brown
Lucky item A leather strap
Overall A calm day turns pleasant once you try something a little new.
Money A fair price today makes a small purchase feel worthwhile.
Love A funny story from a friend brightens your whole afternoon.
Lucky color Tangerine orange
Lucky item A striped pencil case
Overall A steady day brings a small, pleasant surprise by evening.
Money A wise choice today keeps your savings nice and safe.
Love A relaxed chat with a friend warms your heart tonight.
Lucky color Charcoal gray
Lucky item A warm candle
Overall An ordinary day goes smoothly if you keep plans simple today.
Money Small savings add up today if you pay close attention.
Love A short, friendly chat lifts your mood this afternoon.
Lucky color Sage gray
Lucky item A tidy pencil box
Overall A busy start turns into a relaxed, easy afternoon today.
Money Compare prices twice before you buy something new today.
Love A kind word to a friend comes back to you warmly.
Lucky color Ice blue
Lucky item A small compass
Overall Today feels a little slow, so take small steps and stay patient.
Money Hold off on spending today and wait for a calmer moment.
Love A quiet evening with family feels better than going out tonight.
Lucky color Dove gray
Lucky item A soft keychain
Overall Today feels a little slow, so take small, easy steps forward.
Money Put a little aside today and enjoy something you already own.
Love A shy friend may open up if you listen closely today.
Lucky color Seafoam teal
Lucky item A glass bead
Overall Today drifts along slowly, so rest and recharge for tomorrow.
Money Avoid a big purchase today and wait for a calmer day.
Love A quiet night alone suits your mood better than going out.
Lucky color Deep amber
Lucky item A warm shawl
Overall Today eases by slowly, so relax and dream a little.
Money Save your coins today and enjoy something you already own.
Love A gentle song or story brings comfort to your evening.
Lucky color Dusty teal
Lucky item A cozy blanket
We use superlatives to compare three or more things and show which one has the most of something.
B. "Beautiful" has more than one syllable, so we use "the most beautiful," not "beautifulest."
Answer: B. "Beautiful" has more than one syllable, so we use "the most beautiful," not "beautifulest."
The envelope crinkled softly as Linda slid one finger under the flap, and for a moment, nobody on the veranda moved at all.
Star sat very still beside Lyn's feet, ears up, and Pinkysan crept closer along the railing until she was close enough to see the paper too.
Linda pulled out a single folded page and unfolded it slowly. "Here," she said, handing it to Lyn with a small, nervous smile. "You read it. My hands are too excited to hold it steady."
Lyn laughed and smoothed the page flat in the last light of evening. "Dear Lyn and Linda," she read aloud. "Thank you again for the persimmon cake. I still think about it at my desk sometimes, which is not very good for my work."
Linda giggled, and Lyn kept reading. "I have asked for the day off, and I will come to Nara on the second Friday of November, in the evening train. I hope that is still a good day for you both."
"It's perfect," Linda said at once, pressing a hand to her chest. "Keep going, keep going."
"He says," Lyn continued, "'Please tell Star I have not forgotten her, and please tell Pinkysan I will try to be patient this time.' And then, at the bottom, he added one more line: 'I am bringing something small from Kyoto. I think you will both like it.'"
Star let out one happy bark, as if she understood every word, and trotted a quick circle around the veranda before settling down again with her chin on her paws.
Pinkysan, for her part, only flicked her tail and gave the letter a long, thoughtful look, as though deciding whether patience was something she wanted to try too.
"A gift," Linda said, still smiling. "What do you think it could be?"
"I have no idea," Lyn said, folding the letter carefully along its old creases. "But I think we should write back tonight, before it gets too late."
"Tonight," Linda agreed, standing up and brushing off her apron. "And tomorrow, let's really plan the whole day. Maybe even a walk through the park, if the maples are turning red by then."
Lyn looked out at the dark garden, where the persimmon tree stood quiet against the last blue of the sky, and felt a small, warm flutter of excitement for the first time all week.
"The whole day," she repeated softly. "I like the sound of that."
(To be continued)